Gibson Dunn, an international law firm, is said to welcome David Irvine, the former co-head of leveraged finance at Linklaters, to their London branch. This high-profile lateral move follows Irvine’s three-year tenure at Linklaters, where he provided his expertise to prominent clients like Blackstone, KKR, SoftBank, and Brookfield Capital on various financing matters, as stated…
The US Soccer Federation indeed disbursed more than $9.2 million to two prominent law firms within its latest fiscal year, as revealed by a new financial statement. The lion’s share of these funds, nearly $7.3 million, landed in the coffers of King & Spalding, with the remaining amount, just shy of $2 million, paid to…
The esteemed law firm Cooley is looking to enhance its litigation strength in California, as it brings on board the co-chair of Baker McKenzie’s North America class action practice. Teresa Michaud, who is also celebrated as the leader of Baker McKenzie’s global technology, media, and telecom industry group, will join Cooley as a partner in…
The legal industry continues to witness significant personnel changes, as Cooley, the multinational law firm, fortifies its ranks with a new partner appointment. Teresa Michaud, a remarkable figure in the commercial litigation and class action sectors, has joined the firm’s Los Angeles office, as confirmed on Wednesday. Michaud is an experienced advocate, with a breadth…
Cliffe Dekker Hofmeyr, one of South Africa’s noteworthy law firms, has recently hired a pair of dispute resolution specialists from competing firms, one of whom is a noteworthy former director from Norton Rose Fulbright South Africa. The appointee from Norton Rose, Sentebale Makara, comes to Cliffe Dekker Hofmeyr as a director, a position equivalent to…
President Joe Biden is set to sign an executive order aimed at preventing foreign entities from accessing large amounts of Americans’ personal data. This decision comes amid growing concerns over the potential exploitation of this data for commercial and military purposes, particularly by countries such as China and Russia. As reported by Bloomberg Law, the…
The Delaware Court of Chancery, the renowned corporate law court of the USA, is sending a clear message to controlling shareholders through a series of recent rulings. The court’s stance has implications in cases involving Tesla Inc., TripAdvisor Inc., and Sears Hometown and Outlet Stores Inc. Notably, these diverse cases are binding a shared theme…
The U.S. Commerce Department recently released expanded cybersecurity guidance, aiming to address the pressing need for better digital security measures across various sectors. The updated framework from the department’s National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) now includes additional sections tackling corporate governance responsibilities and supply chain risks. Read more here. Previously, this framework was…
In recent legal news, employers sailing through the rough waters of worker claims under California’s distinct PAGA labor law might have discovered a new lifeline. According to a concurrent opinion by a Ninth Circuit judge, an interesting defense has emerged. The Private Attorney General Act (PAGA) law in California allows aggrieved employees to act as…
The ongoing saga of Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton’s ambitions to displace incumbent judges, following a ruling disallowing his prosecution of voter fraud, has seen significant investment from his billionaire donors. Despite judicial races for the state’s highest criminal court typically garnering minimal attention, this election has piqued heightened interest among Texas’ financial elite. Paxton’s…
Global law firm Clifford Chance is implementing a set of artificial intelligence (AI) technologies for its nearly 7,000 employees, following a period of extensive testing. In partnership with tech behemoth Microsoft, the UK-based firm has developed an inclusive suite of AI-assisted workplace solutions. The firm’s new AI tools, borne out of a collaboration with Microsoft,…
When Liz Oyer, the first known former public defender to head the U.S. Department of Justice’s pardon office, commenced her tenure in April 2022, she embarked on a unique venture. The advocate introduced a collection of 22 framed photos of women serving life sentences, lending a new ambiance to her office atmosphere. Oyer went a…
Known for his specific and probing questions during congressional hearings, Senator John Kennedy (R-La.) has undeniably carved a unique style of scrutinizing judicial nominees. A former law professor himself and a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, Senator Kennedy’s Socratic method, coupled with his distinctive southern drawl, has garnered attention on the Hill and beyond….
As many small business owners grapple with their personal tax returns, it is worth spotlighting the ongoing tax-related challenges faced by microcaptive insurers in the United States. A few months into 2024, the IRS has notably triumphed in two cases against this self-insurance mechanism for small businesses, namely Keating v. Commissioner and Swift v. Commissioner….
As managers of globally integrated firms grapple with supply chain disruptions, such as pandemics, supplier bankruptcies, contract breaches, shipping logistics problems, payment risks, political instability, and trade wars, another potential threat often goes overlooked: labor. The sanctions initiated against China by former President Trump and subsequently maintained by President Biden, as well as the push…
The newly-appointed leaders of EY Global and PwC US, Janet Truncale and Paul Griggs, respectively, are stepping into their roles amid a challenging landscape for their businesses. Both hail from the financial services auditing side, at a time when consulting services are contributing an increasing share of total revenue, despite fiercer competition and client cost-cutting….
Artificial Intelligence (AI) has seen a rise in legal research and writing. However, the acceptance of AI tools vary greatly amongst law firms. Recently, a firm came forward to share its policy, vehemently denying the use of generative AI for producing legal products. In a detailed article by Peter Winders, General Counsel at the law…
As highlighted by the article on Bloomberg Law, concerns over national and economic security threats from China have led the FBI, the White House, and US officials to not only warn about potential cyber attacks to critical infrastructure, but also about the US’s growing dependence on China’s semiconductor and artificial intelligence markets. Last year, due…
Artificial intelligence (AI) has increasingly become a frontier for discussion and development in the world of law. Indeed, this technology is showing potential in democratizing access to legal resources and improving efficiencies within law firms. However, its adoption and regulatory oversight continue to spawn controversy within the legal fraternity. A point of contention lies in…
In a significant international acquisition, law firms Herbert Smith Freehills (HSF) and Corrs Chambers Westgarth have acted as legal advisors on a $3B takeover of building materials. This investment marks a significant move for France’s Saint-Gobain into the Australian market, extending its global footprint. Given the magnitude of the deal, it’s a notable instance in…
Law firms King & Wood Mallesons (KWM) and Herbert Smith Freehills (HSF) are playing pivotal roles in a recent significant transaction in the energy sector. KWM is providing legal consultancy to Australian gas and petroleum behemoth, Woodside, on the sale of a $1.4 billion stake in the Scarborough gas project located in Western Australia. The…
The co-founder of FTX, Sam Bankman-Fried, could face a sentence of no more than 6 1/2 years in prison for orchestrating a fraud that resulted in the downfall of the cryptocurrency exchange, as per a proposition from his legal team. The lawyers put forth this statement to a federal judge who reportedly has the capacity…
A copyright infringement suit was lodged against Amazon Studios LLC on Tuesday in a California federal court. The claimant, the original writer behind the iconic 1989 movie “Road House”, alleges that Amazon ignored his copyright for the screenplay, hastily finishing the movie remaster using artificial intelligence before rights could revert to him. This recent development…
A Texas state jury has ruled in favor of Koninklijke KPN, the Dutch telecommunications company, awarding it $287 million in a contract dispute against Samsung Electronics Co. This ruling comes after the jury found that Samsung had breached a license agreement by not paying to use a KPN patent. This high-stake legal battle showcases the…
A wrongful-death lawsuit has been lodged against Airbnb, following the tragic death of a vacationer in a rental property. According to the complaint, the company which has customarily pledged a “safe and secure home away from home” failed to deliver on its promise to the late Debra. The allegation maintains that the rented Airbnb property…